This simulation aims to enhance the participants’ ability to understand and respond effectively to patient anxiety, especially caused by claustrophobia, during medical procedures.

Warm-up

1. Empathy Mapping Exercise

Divide participants into small groups and ask them to create an empathy map for the patient, considering:

What they might say (e.g., "I feel trapped.")

What they might think (e.g., "What if I can't get out?")

What they might feel (e.g., panicked, overwhelmed).

What they might do (e.g., sweating, hyperventilating).

Discuss insights and how they can guide interactions.

2. Problem-Solving Under Pressure: Present the group with a scenario, such as: "The patient begins to panic mid-procedure. What would you do?". Participants share their strategies.

Scenario Overview

Characters

Patient: A middle-aged patient with severe claustrophobia is scheduled for an MRI scan. The patient is visibly anxious and expresses doubts about proceeding with the procedure and wants to reschedule it.

Nurse or Radiology Technician: trained in anxiety-reduction techniques. The role of the healthcare professional is to address the patient’s concerns, use anxiety de-escalation techniques and ensure the procedure progresses in a safe and supportive manner.

Setting

A room in an imaging centre.

Roles Key Behaviours

Patient:

Behaviours:

Exhibit physical signs of anxiety, such as trembling, sweating, or pacing. Express doubts and reluctance to proceed with the scan. Voice fears about the confined space of the MRI machine. Gradually become more cooperative.

Tone:

Nervous, hesitant, and occasionally abrupt due to overwhelming fear. Softens as reassurance and trust are established.

Attitude:

Initially focused on rescheduling the procedure, resistant and doubtful about proceeding.

Nurse:

Behaviours:

Approach the patient calmly and engage in active listening, allowing the patient to express their fears without interruption. Use reassuring language, explaining the MRI procedure in clear, simple terms. Offer practical solutions, such as using earplugs.

Tone:

Calm, steady, and encouraging to foster a sense of safety. Empathetic and understanding, validating the patient’s fears while focusing on solutions.

Attitude:

Patient-centred and proactive, dedicated to creating a supportive environment.

Simulation Flow

Set-up

Arrange the room to resemble an MRI suite. Include a call button, headphones and a blindfold as props for patient.

Introduction

Brief the participants privately on the scenario and their roles. Emphasize the importance of communication and empathy.

Execution

The simulation begins with the patient pacing around the MRI Suite waiting room, visibly anxious. The nurse enters asking “Who is next” or calling the patient’s name. The patient starts with a request for rescheduling the scan. The healthcare professional acknowledges the patient’s concerns and engages in therapeutic communication.

Resolution

The simulation concludes when the patient feels sufficiently reassured to attempt the procedure, or the healthcare professional proposes an appropriate alternative if the patient cannot proceed (e.g. arranging for an open or wide-bore MRI at another place).

1. Effectively identify and respond to patient anxiety and signs of claustrophobia.
2. Communicate empathetically, using active listening and validating patient emotions.
3. Apply practical strategies to alleviate anxiety, such as relaxation techniques. prompts, adjustments to procedure, adapting to individual patient needs.

1. Self-reflection – the participants express their immediate emotional reactions to the simulation.
2. Analysis - explore together what happened during the simulation and why.
3. Highlight strengths and areas for improvement.
4. Summarize main takeaways from the session.